ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Coast Guard rescued two people from a downed aircraft in Tampa Bay.

Crews responded around 10:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1, to the Albert Whitted Airport on a report of the crash.

An investigation shows the plane piloted by 78-year-old Gerald Kerr could not take off and crashed into 3 feet of water, according to a Coast Guard news release. Elizabeth Reynolds, 72, was Kerr's passenger.

Two good Samaritans jumped into the water as a 29-foot Coast Guard response boat went to the downed, single-engine aircraft.

The Coast Guard crew pulled Kerr and Reynolds out of the plane and got them ready to be taken to an area hospital.